Tomorrow, go purple.

Color matters in the lives of human beings. Color affects our moods. We surround ourselves with colors that make us feel certain ways – calm, happy, energized, peaceful. We identify colors that we think look the best on us – to best accentuate our eyes or our skin color, or to deemphasize body parts (black remains my favorite slimming color). We use colors to help add emphasis and depth to emotions. We can be blue, see red, or feel peachy. And we use colors to symbolize our support for groups, sports teams, and social movements.

Color is a spectrum of expression that has within each hue a hundred different variations. Color is, in and of itself, an expression of the beauty of difference. Yes indeed, color matters.

Tomorrow, October 19th, purple matters. Purple matters because tomorrow is Spirit Day – the annual day in October when folks wear purple to speak out against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. LGBT youth have historically been the target of heartless bullying and exclusion.

Tomorrow, purple will send the message that difference is valued and embraced. Tomorrow, purple will show the entire LBGT community that there are many people who stand beside them. Tomorrow, the collective can send a message of support to those who feel alone or isolated.

Tomorrow, go purple. Show the world where you stand regarding bullying and support of LGBT youth…show the youth out there who are afraid and in a state of despair that they have allies. Let it be known that you understand the importance of the spectrum of colors and the special value each color holds. Color matters…spread the word.

Day one thousand two hundred of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C

About Ms. C

I teach at NDSU...but I remain a student of life with all the enthusiasm that entails. My favorite saying is, "Sometimes you have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down." In the new forty that is what I am doing...building my wings.